ALEXANDER-ARNOLD READY TO FACE LIVERPOOL — IN WHITE, NOT RED

With Dani Carvajal injured, Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a Real Madrid start against Valencia. This crucial audition could secure his spot for the highly-anticipated and emotionally charged return to Anfield against his former club, Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold Ready to Face Liverpool — In White, Not Red
Trent Alexander Arnold in training - Image: Getty Images

Real Madrid's captain, Dani Carvajal, will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after having to have knee surgery, it was announced earlier this week. Although the veteran defender's recent comeback from weeks out due to a different injury is disheartening for him, it has given Trent Alexander-Arnold a chance.

Having missed the previous six weeks due to a hamstring ailment, Trent has also struggled with injuries. He is ready to return to the Real Madrid starting lineup after playing on the bench during El Clasico.

In recent weeks, Fede Valverde has filled in at right-back, but Diario AS reports that Xabi Alonso will start Trent against Valencia this weekend because Carvajal will not be available.


Trent will have the opportunity to start against his old team, Liverpool.


Trent will play for Real Madrid again on Saturday after being substituted out five minutes into the team's Champions League match against Marseille in mid-September. His ability will be put to the test against Valencia, and if he passes, he will have a great chance of starting when Los Blancos return home to play Liverpool in their next league phase match.

Given Trent's contentious choice to forego a new Liverpool contract in favor of joining Real Madrid at a reduced cost in June, next week's game at Anfield is sure to be a heated affair. A opportunity to defeat their former player could give the defending Premier League winners more incentive, even though they have been playing poorly lately.

Regardless of Trent's performance against Valencia, Alonso may choose not to start him in this aspect, but he will undoubtedly be Real Madrid's first-choice right-back in the upcoming weeks.

WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?

After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.

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Madrid confirms Endrick and Jacobo Ramón will rejoin the first-team squad this summer - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.

Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.

The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.

Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.

But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.

Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.

Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.

Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.

Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.

Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.

Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.

So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.

HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK

Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.

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Real Madrid fall eight points behind Barcelona after Betis draw - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.

Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.

People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.

This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.

Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.

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